Flavor station assembly

ABSTRACT

A flavor station assembly can be employed to dispense snow cone flavors or other types of flavoring syrups or liquids. The flavor station assembly can include one or more saucer assemblies where each saucer assembly is configured to dispense a number of flavors. Each saucer assembly can be coupled to a support assembly that is configured to pivot thereby enabling the saucer assemblies to be positioned in a desired location relative to the structure to which the support assembly is mounted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

BACKGROUND

Snow cones and other flavored ice novelties (hereinafter simply “snowcones”) are oftentimes served from a truck or a non-permanent structure(e.g., a booth). This allows the vendor to easily sell at a variety oflocations and/or events. These snow cone vendors may also desire toprovide a self-service flavor station where a variety of flavors areavailable. This allows the consumer to select which flavor he or shewants while also relieving the vendor from dispensing flavors.

Although, in theory, these self-service flavor stations should allow agreater number of consumers to be served, this is not always the case.For example, some consumers, such as children, may be indecisive whenfaced with a number of flavor choices. In such cases, a line may formaround the flavor station as consumers wait to dispense flavoring. Also,in environments where the flavor station may be positioned by or on thetruck or other serving structure, the line of consumers waiting todispense flavors may interfere with the line of consumers waiting topurchase snow cones. This type of congestion can detract from theoverall experience and can discourage consumers from purchasing snowcones.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention extends to a flavor station assembly that can beemployed to dispense snow cone flavors or other types of flavoringsyrups or liquids. The flavor station assembly can include one or moresaucer assemblies where each saucer assembly is configured to dispense anumber of flavors. Each saucer assembly can be coupled to a supportassembly that is configured to pivot thereby enabling the saucerassemblies to be positioned in a desired location relative to thestructure to which the support assembly is mounted.

When the flavor station assembly is employed on a truck, the supportassembly can be coupled via a pivoting connection to a mounting assemblythat is mounted to the truck. In such cases, the flavoring syrup sourcescan be stored within the truck and tubing for carrying the flavoringsyrups can be routed in or along the support assembly to each saucerassembly. Alternatively, when the flavor station assembly is employed ona stationary structure, the support assembly can be coupled via apivoting connection to the stationary structure.

In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a flavorstation assembly that comprises a mounting assembly, a support assemblycomprising a first horizontal arm that is coupled to the mountingassembly via a pivoting connection and a first vertical arm that issupported by the first horizontal arm, and a first saucer assemblycoupled to the first vertical arm.

In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a flavorstation assembly that includes: a base; a support assembly comprising avertical post that is secured to the base and that extends upwardly fromthe base; a saucer assembly coupled to the support assembly; and acontainer support coupled to the support assembly above the saucerassembly, the container support being configured to support a number offlavoring syrup containers.

In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a flavorstation assembly comprising: a mounting assembly that is configured tomount to a truck; a support assembly comprising a first horizontal armthat is coupled to the mounting assembly, a second horizontal arm thatis coupled to the first horizontal arm, a first vertical arm thatextends downwardly from the second horizontal arm, and a second verticalarm that extends downwardly from the second horizontal arm and is spacedfrom the first vertical arm; a first saucer assembly coupled to thefirst horizontal arm; and a second saucer assembly coupled to the secondhorizontal arm. Each of the first and second saucer assemblies isconfigured to dispense a plurality of flavoring syrups.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of theinvention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope,the invention will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a flavor station assembly that ismounted to a truck when the support assembly is in a closed position;

FIG. 1B illustrates the flavor station assembly of FIG. 1A when thesupport assembly is in an open position;

FIG. 2A provides a top view of a saucer assembly that is configured inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2B provides a side view of the saucer assembly;

FIG. 2C provides an exploded perspective view of the saucer assembly;

FIG. 2D provides an exploded side view of the saucer assembly;

FIG. 2E provides a cross-sectional side view of the saucer assembly;

FIGS. 3A and 3B provide top and bottom perspective views of a diskcomponent of the saucer assembly;

FIG. 4 provides a top perspective view of a button component of thesaucer assembly;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a standalone flavor stationassembly;

FIG. 5A illustrates a circular support member that can be employed withthe standalone flavor station assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5B illustrates a semicircular support member that can be employedwith the standalone flavor station assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the base of the standaloneflavor station assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 illustrates another saucer assembly that can be employed inembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6A provides a bottom view of the saucer assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B provides a side view of the saucer assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6C provides a top view of the saucer assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6D provides a detailed bottom view of the saucer assembly of FIG.6; and

FIG. 6E provides an isolated view of a button that can be employed inthe saucer assembly of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this specification and the claims, the term “flavoring syrup” shouldbe construed as encompassing any liquid that can be dispensed throughtubing. Although the specification will describe the invention in thecontext of snow cones, it is to be understood that the flavor stationassembly could be employed to dispense flavoring syrup for other typesof food, treats, or beverages. Also, the flavor station assembly willprimarily be described as being mounted to a truck. However, the flavorstation assembly, and particularly the saucer assembly, could besupported/mounted to other structures and in other manners as will beillustrated below.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an embodiment of a flavor station assembly100 that is configured to be mounted to a truck. Flavor station assembly100 includes a mounting assembly 101 for securing flavor stationassembly 100 to a truck 150, a support assembly 102 that is coupled tomounting assembly 101 via a pivoting connection, and two saucerassemblies 103 coupled to support assembly 102 in a manner that allowsthe saucer assemblies to be positioned where consumers may access them.In FIG. 1A, flavor station assembly 100 is in a closed or retractedposition, while in FIG. 1B, flavor station assembly 100 is in an open orserving position.

In this embodiment, mounting assembly 101 is configured with twoopposing mounting rails 101 a, 101 b and a number of cross members 101 cthat interconnect mounting rails 101 a, 101 b. Mounting rails 101 a, 101b and cross members 101 c can be configured and oriented to conform tothe roof of a truck or other vehicle from which snow cones can beserved. For example, mounting rails 101 a, 101 b can extend along theouter edges of the roof and can be secured to the roof in any suitablemanner. Alternatively, in cases where the spacing between mounting rails101 a, 101 b may exceed the width of the truck, cross members 101 c maybe secured to the roof. Although not shown, many other configurations ofa mounting assembly could be employed depending on the shape and/orstructure of the vehicle or other support structure to which mountingassembly may be coupled. For example, in some embodiments, a vehiclecould be manufactured to include an integrated mounting assembly.However, the depicted configuration of mounting assembly 101 may bepreferred since it allows a majority of existing trucks to beretrofitted to provide a flavor station assembly. In one specificembodiment, the spacing between mounting rails 101 a, 101 b may beapproximately eight feet.

Support assembly 102 includes a first horizontal arm 102 a, a secondhorizontal arm 102 b, a first vertical arm 102 c, and a second verticalarm 102 d. In this context, the modifiers horizontal and vertical areemployed to distinguish between the two orientations of the arms butshould not be construed as requiring the arms to be perfectly horizontalor vertical. In some embodiments, each of arms 102 a-102 d may be a pipehaving an outside diameter of 2.5 inches and an inside diameter of 2.25inches although any reasonable sized pipe or other similar structurecould be employed.

First horizontal arm 102 a has a first end that is coupled to mountingassembly 101 via a pivoting connection 102 a 1. In the depicted example,pivoting connection 102 a 1 is formed on mounting rail 101 b but couldequally be formed on mounting rail 101 a. In some embodiments, such asis shown, pivoting connection 102 a 1 can be formed on the same side oftruck 150 as the serving window and at the rear of the truck. This willallow support assembly 102 to be pivoted into the appropriate positionsas will be further described below.

A second end of first horizontal arm 102 a is coupled to first verticalarm 102 c via a pivoting connection 102 b 1 such that first vertical arm102 c can rotate relative to first horizontal arm 102 a. A first end ofsecond horizontal arm 102 b is coupled to first vertical arm 102 c whilea second end of second horizontal arm 102 b is coupled to secondvertical arm 102 d. In the depicted embodiment, the second end of firsthorizontal arm 102 a forms pivoting connection 102 b 1. However, in someembodiments, pivoting connection 102 b 1 can be formed at the first endof second horizontal arm 102 b. In other words, pivoting connection 102b 1 can be formed in multiple ways as long as it allows secondhorizontal arm 102 b to pivot with respect to first horizontal arm 102a. In contrast to what is depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in someembodiments, first horizontal arm 102 a may be configured to couple tosecond horizontal arm 102 b near or at a middle of second horizontal arm102 b.

The length of first and second horizontal arms 102 a, 102 b can beconfigured to ensure that, when these arms are in the closed position,they do not extend (or at least do not substantially extend) outwardlybeyond the sides of the truck. For example, first horizontal arm 102 acould have a length of seven feet, while second horizontal arm 102 bcould have a length of six feet. Although not shown, pivotingconnections 102 a 1, 102 b 1 can each include a locking mechanism toretain first and second horizontal arms 102 a, 102 b in the closedposition. In this way, truck 150 can be driven while flavor stationassembly 100 is mounted to it. In other embodiments, however, bothmounting assembly 101 and support assembly 102 may have a width thatexceeds the width of the vehicle to which they are mounted. Accordingly,the relative dimensions of flavor station assembly 100 are not criticalto the invention.

Because the length of second horizontal arm 102 b defines the spacingbetween saucer assemblies 103, its length can be maximized relative tothe width of truck 150. This can ensure that adequate spacing existsbetween saucer assemblies 103 to allow multiple consumers to dispenseflavoring syrups at the same time. The length of first and secondvertical arms 102 c, 102 d can be configured to cause saucer assemblies103 to be positioned at the same height or at different heights relativeto the ground where they will be easily accessible to consumers. In someembodiments, first and second vertical arms 102 c, 102 d can betelescoping to allow their heights to be adjusted for a particularsituation. For example, it may be desirable to lower the height ofsaucer assemblies 103 when the consumers are smaller children.

In preferred embodiments, each of arms 102 a-102 d can be hollow toallow tubing 104 to run through them. However, in other embodiments,tubing 104 may be secured around the exterior of arms 102 a-102 d. Inthe depicted embodiment, the sources of the flavoring syrup are storedwithin vehicle 150. Tubing 104 can be inserted into these sources andthen routed through an opening 151 in the body of vehicle 150 and intofirst horizontal arm 102 a (e.g., via an opening positioned nearpivoting connection 102 a 1). In the depicted embodiment, each of saucerassemblies 103 is configured to dispense 20 flavoring syrups.Accordingly, 20 individual tubes can be routed to each saucer assembly103. In some embodiments, a different set of tubing 104 could beemployed for each saucer assembly 103 (i.e., a total of 40 individualtubes could be routed through first horizontal arm 102 a). In contrast,in some embodiments, each individual tube may include a splitter (e.g.,positioned at or in second pivoting connection 102 b 1) to direct theparticular flavoring syrup to each of the saucer assemblies 103. In suchembodiments, there would be a total of 20 individual tubes runningthrough each of arms 102 a-102 d, and therefore these embodiments may bepreferred since they will minimize the required diameter of firsthorizontal arm 102 a.

FIG. 1B illustrates a case where first horizontal arm 102 a has beenpivoted to extend perpendicularly from mounting rail 101 b while secondhorizontal arm 102 b has been pivoted to extend perpendicularly rearwardfrom first horizontal arm 102 a. In this orientation, saucer assemblies103 will be spaced away from the serving window so as to not encumberthe line for purchasing snow cones. After receiving a snow cone, aconsumer could walk over to either saucer assembly 103 to dispense adesired flavoring syrup. By providing multiple saucer assemblies 103 aswell as by spacing these saucer assemblies relative to the truck and oneanother, the present invention increases the efficiency of dispensingflavoring syrup.

Both pivoting connections 102 a 1, 102 b 1 may include a lockingmechanism to retain a desired orientation of first and second horizontalarms 102 a, 102 b. In addition to the orientation shown in FIG. 1B,pivoting connections 102 a 1, 102 b 1 may be configured to lock firstand second horizontal arms 102 a, 102 b in a number of otherorientations. For example, it may be desired to position saucerassemblies 103 directly behind truck 150 in some environments. This canbe accomplished by pivoting first arm 102 a to extend directly to therear.

Although flavor station assembly 100 is shown as including two saucerassemblies, a flavor station assembly in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention could equally include a single saucer assembly 103or more than two saucer assemblies 103. For example, if only a singlesaucer assembly is desired, support assembly 102 may only consist offirst horizontal arm 102 a and first vertical arm 102 c. In contrast, ifthree saucer assemblies are desired, a third horizontal arm may beconfigured to extend from either of first or second vertical arms 102 c,102 d and a third vertical arm could extend downwardly from this thirdhorizontal arm. Accordingly, flavor station assembly 100 can include anyreasonable number of saucer assemblies.

In some embodiments, one or more of vertical arms 102 c, 102 d caninclude or can be configured to support an umbrella or other type ofshading canopy (not shown). For example, an umbrella having an adapterconfigured to sit on top of one of vertical arms 102 c, 102 d could bestored in truck 150 when not in use and then installed once supportassembly 102 has been oriented properly. Alternatively, an umbrellacould be configured to mount to one of horizontal arms 102 a, 102 b.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate various views of saucer assembly 103. Saucerassembly 103 includes a disk component 201 and a button component 202that interlock to form a number of dispensing terminals. In the depictedembodiment, disk component 201 is configured to be positioned on top ofbutton component 202. Disk component 201 and button component 202 eachhave a generally circular shape and are configured to be coupled to thebottom of one of vertical arms 102 c, 102 d. Tubing 104, which ispreferably routed through vertical arms 102 c, 102 d can pass through acentral opening in each of disk component 201 and button component 202as will be further described below.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate disk component 201 in isolation. As shown,disk component 201 includes a central opening 301 and a number ofmounting holes 302 positioned around central opening 301. Vertical arms102 c, 102 d can each include a coupling component (not shown) thatincludes holes corresponding to mounting holes 302. For example, thecoupling component can have an outside diameter that is greater than theoutside diameter of the vertical arm 102 c, 102 d and that includes fourthreaded holes that align with mounting holes 302 when central opening301 is aligned with the vertical arm. A bolt can then be used to securesaucer assembly 103 to the coupling component.

Disk component 201 comprises a relatively flat top surface and asidewall that extends downwardly from the outer edge of this topsurface. A number of stepped channels 303 are formed within and spacedaround this sidewall. Each channel 303 can include a main channel 303 athat overlaps with, but is offset from, an ingress channel 303 b. Mainchannel 303 a is deeper (i.e., it extends farther upward) than ingresschannel 303 b. Due to this difference in depth as well as the offset, astep is formed between main channel 303 a and ingress channel 303 b. Aretaining ledge 303 c can extend outwardly into main channel 303 a tothereby be positioned below main channel 303 a. A top surface ofretaining ledge 303 c can be offset relative to a top surface of ingresschannel 303 b to thereby allow passage from ingress channel 303 b tomain channel 303 a.

As is best shown in FIG. 3B, a number of radial ribs 303 d may be formedon the underside of the top surface of disk component 201 to therebyreinforce this surface. In some embodiments, radial ribs 303 d may alignwith main channels 303 a. A circular ridge 303 e may also be formed onthe underside of the top surface of disk component 201. As will befurther described below, circular ridge 303 e forms a clamping surfaceto occlude tubing 104. Therefore, circular ridge 303 e can extenddownwardly beyond radial ribs 303 d.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an isolated view of button component 202 isprovided. Button component 202 can include a central opening 401corresponding to central opening 301 and a number of mounting openings402 corresponding to mounting openings 302. Button component 202includes a number of buttons 403 that extend radially from a centralportion of button component 202. The number of buttons 403 cancorrespond with the number of channels 303. The width of buttons 403 canalso correspond with the width of channels 303 thereby allowing buttons403 to be retained within channels 303.

Each button 403 can include a press tab 403 a formed at its end and twoopenings 403 b 1, 403 b 2 spaced along its length. Also, sidewalls 403 dcan be formed on opposite sides of each button 403 along openings 403 b1, 403 b 2 to provide reinforcement to button 403. The end of button 403can be angled upwardly so that push tab 403 a is positioned aboveopenings 403 b 1, 403 b 2. Also, as shown in the depicted embodiment,opening 403 b 2 can be formed partially within this upwardly angledportion of button 403. Each button 403 may also include a ridge 403 cthat substantially aligns with circular ridge 303 e when saucer assembly103 is assembled. Ridges 403 c and circular ridge 303 e can function asclamping surfaces to occlude tubing 401.

FIG. 2E illustrates a cross-sectional side view of saucer assembly 103when assembled. To assemble button component 202 with disk component201, buttons 403 can be aligned with and then inserted into ingresschannels 303 b. With buttons 403 inserted into ingress channels 303 b,button component 202 can be twisted relative to disk component 201(e.g., to the right in the depicted embodiment) thereby positioningbuttons 403 within main channels 303 a. Button component 202 can then betightened against disk component 201 (e.g., by tightening bolts throughmounting holes 302/402). With button component 202 secured to diskcomponent 201, press tabs 403 will be positioned towards the top of mainchannels 303 a and ridges 403 c will be forced against circular ridge303 e. Buttons 403 can be formed of a resilient material (e.g., plastic)so that they will be biased into this clamped position.

As shown, tubing 104 can exit vertical arm 102 c or 102 d and passthrough central openings 301, 401. Each individual tube can then berouted upwardly through opening 403 b 1 and then downwardly throughopening 403 b 2 to position the end of the tube generally below push tab403 a. Due to the biasing of buttons 403, tubing 104 will remain clampedbetween ridges 403 c and circular ridge 303 e thereby preventing theflow of flavoring syrup. Then, when it is desired to dispense aparticular flavoring syrup, a consumer can press down on the appropriatepress tab 403 a to thereby unclamp the corresponding tube. As seen bestin FIG. 2B, retaining ledge 303 c will limit the movement of press tab403 a to thereby prevent button 403 from becoming broken. Tubing 104 canbe primed such that the flavoring syrup will flow once the tubing isunclamped. Due to the resiliency of button 403, the tubing will again beclamped once the consumer releases press tab 403 a.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flavor station assembly 500 that is configured as astandalone assembly. As shown, flavor station assembly 500 includes abase 501 that is structured to be placed on the ground or otherrelatively flat surface near the location where snow cones are served. Asupport assembly 502 (which may be in the form of a post) may be securedwithin and extend upwardly from base 501 as is better shown in FIG. 5C.For example, base 501 may include a weighted bottom 501 d to whichsupport assembly 502 is secured to minimize the likelihood that flavorstation assembly 500 could be tipped over.

Base 501 may also include a drain basin 501 a that is positioned nearthe top of base 501 and functions to collect any flavoring syrup thatmay drip from saucer assembly 103, or more particularly, from the endsof tubing 104. Drain basin 501 a can be substantially bowl-shaped andmay include a lip 501 a 1 for securing it to base 501. Drain basin 501 amay also include a central opening through which support assembly 502extends. One or more drain tubes 501 b may extend from openings formedat or near the bottom of drain basin 501 a to allow flavoring syrup toflow out of drain basin 501 a. Base 501 may incorporate a drain pipe 501c or a collector (not shown). Drain pipe 501 c may comprise a pipe thatruns from base 501 to a sewage drain or other suitable disposal conduit.In other locations, it may not be possible to dispose of the flavoringsyrup, and therefore, base 501 may include a collector into which draintubes 501 b can direct the flavoring syrup for later disposal.

The height of base 501 as well as the relative position where saucerassembly 103 is secured to support assembly 502 can be configured toenable a customer to position a snow cone beneath saucer assembly 103while dispensing a desired flavoring syrup. Also, the width of base 501(or at least of drain basin 501 a) relative to saucer assembly 103 canbe configured to ensure that flavoring syrup will drip into drain basin501 a rather than onto the ground.

Flavor station assembly 500 also includes a container support 503 thatis secured to support assembly 502 (e.g., via a central opening incontainer support 503) and positioned above saucer assembly 103.Container support 503 can comprise a surface that includes a number ofopenings 503 a into which flavoring syrup containers 550 can beinserted. For example, flavoring syrup may typically be packaged ingallon-sized bottles. In such cases, these bottles can be placed upsidedown through openings 503 a. Tubing 104 can be inserted into each ofthese bottles (e.g., via a cap into which an end of tubing 104 isintegrated) such that flavoring syrup will flow through tubing 104 whennot clamped by saucer assembly 103. In some embodiments, supportassembly 502 can include openings 502 a through which tubing 104 can beinserted to allow tubing 104 to be routed to saucer assembly 103 withinsupport assembly 502.

FIGS. 5 and 5A depict an embodiment of flavor station assembly 500 thatis not configured to be placed against a wall or other structure.Accordingly, in FIGS. 5 and 5A, base 501, saucer assembly 103, andcontainer support 503 have a generally circular shape to facilitate 360°access. However, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to placeflavor station assembly 500 against a wall. In such cases, base 501,saucer assembly 103, and container support 503 may be configured with aflat side. For example, FIG. 5B illustrates how a container support 513could be configured in a semi-circular shape. Although not shown, bothbase 501 and saucer assembly 103 could be equally configured with asemi-circular shape. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5B, it isassumed that the flavor station assembly would be configured to dispense11 different flavoring syrups. Accordingly, container syrup 513 is shownas including 11 openings 513 a for supporting 11 containers 550.

FIGS. 6 and 6A-6E illustrate another embodiment of a saucer assembly 603that could be used in place of saucer assembly 103 in any of the abovedescribed embodiments. Saucer assembly 603 comprises a top surface 603 afrom which an inner ring 603 b and an outer ring 603 c extenddownwardly. Each of inner ring 603 b and outer ring 603 c includes anumber of holes 603 b 1 and 603 c 1 respectively that are radiallyaligned to thereby allow a button 604 to be inserted through sets ofaligned holes. In these figures, only a single button 604 is shown eventhough saucer assembly 603 includes 20 sets of aligned holes. It is tobe understood, however, that in this embodiment, 20 buttons could beemployed to allow 20 different flavoring syrups to be dispensed fromsaucer assembly 603.

As best shown in FIG. 6E, which depicts button 604 in isolation, theouter end of button 604 is thicker than the inner end such that a ledge604 b is formed. A hole 604 a is also formed through button 604 at theouter end. The diameter of each of holes 603 b 1 can be sufficient toallow the inner end of button 604 to insert through the hole. Thediameter of each of holes 603 c 1 can also be sufficient to allow theouter, thicker end of button 604 to insert through the hole as is bestseen in FIG. 6D. A spring 605 can be positioned around the inner end ofbutton 604 so that it is positioned between ledge 604 b and ring 603 b.Spring 605 will bias button 604 outwardly. Top surface 603 a can includeholes 603 a 1 which are positioned to align with holes 604 a in buttons604 when buttons 604 are inserted into holes 603 b 1/603 c 1.

As best shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, tubing 104 (only one of which isshown), can insert downwardly through hole 603 a 1 and hole 604 a sothat the end of tubing 104 is positioned below saucer assembly 603.Spring 605 will force button 604 outwardly thereby clamping tubing 104between ring 603 c and the inner wall of hole 604 a. Spring 604 can beconfigured such that this clamping force will be sufficient to occludetubing 104 to prevent the flow of flavoring syrup. Because tubing 104extends through hole 604 a, it will prevent button 604 from dislodgingfrom saucer assembly 603.

Button 604 can have a sufficient length so that its outer end extendsbeyond ring 603 c. When it is desired to dispense flavoring syrup, acustomer can simply press the outer end of button 604 to force itinwardly and thereby unclamp tubing 104. Then, when the customer ceasespressing button 604, spring 605 will return button 604 to its original,clamping position.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A saucer assembly for use in a flavor stationassembly, the saucer assembly comprising: a disk component having anumber of channels formed within a sidewall of the disk component; and abutton component having a number of buttons that extend radially, thebutton component configured to couple to the disk component by insertingthe buttons into the channels.
 22. The saucer assembly of claim 21,wherein each button includes a push tab at an end of the button, thepush tab extending beyond the channel when the button component iscoupled to the disk component.
 23. The saucer assembly of claim 22,further comprising: a number of tubes, each tube passing between one ofthe buttons and the disk component to thereby occlude the tube; whereinthe disk component includes a circular ridge and each button includes aridge that aligns with the circular ridge to form clamping surfaces thatocclude the tube.
 24. The saucer assembly of claim 23, wherein eachbutton includes a first opening and a second opening positionedoutwardly from the first opening.
 25. The saucer assembly of claim 24,wherein the end of the button is angled upwardly to position the pushtab above the first and second openings.
 26. The saucer assembly ofclaim 24, wherein each of the disk component and the button componentincludes a central opening through which the number of tubes pass. 26.The saucer assembly of claim 26, wherein the disk component ispositioned above the button component, and wherein, after the tubes passthrough the central openings, each tube passes up through the firstopening and then down through the second opening of a correspondingbutton.
 27. The saucer assembly of claim 23, wherein the channels areconfigured to allow the push tab to be pressed downwardly to cause thecorresponding tube to no longer be occluded between the ridge and thecircular ridge thereby allowing flavoring syrup to flow through thetube.
 28. The saucer assembly of claim 21, wherein the disk componentincludes a central opening for enabling a number of tubes to passthrough the disk component and a plurality of mounting structurespositioned around the central opening.
 29. The saucer assembly of claim28, wherein the mounting structures are holes.
 30. The saucer assemblyof claim 28, further comprising: a vertical arm to which the diskcomponent mounts to position the saucer assembly above the ground. 31.The saucer assembly of claim 30, wherein the tubes pass through thevertical arm and through the central opening in the disk component. 32.A flavor station assembly comprising: a support assembly; and a saucerassembly coupled to the support assembly, the saucer assemblycomprising: a disk component having a number of channels formed within asidewall of the disk component; and a button component having a numberof buttons that extend radially, the button component configured tocouple to the disk component by inserting the buttons into the channels.33. The flavor station assembly of claim 32, wherein the supportassembly is configured to mount to a vehicle via a pivoting connection.35. The flavor station assembly of claim 32, wherein the supportassembly is coupled to a base that rests on the ground.
 36. The flavorstation assembly of claim 35, further comprising: a container supportsecured to the support assembly above the saucer assembly, the containersupport being configured to support a plurality of flavoring syrupcontainers.
 37. The flavor station assembly of claim 32, furthercomprising: a plurality of tubes that pass through the support assemblyand into the saucer assembly.
 38. The flavor station assembly of claim37, wherein the tubes extend to a vehicle from which flavoring syrup isdispensed.
 39. The flavor station assembly of claim 32, wherein thebutton component includes at least ten buttons.
 40. A saucer assemblyfor use in a flavor station assembly, the saucer assembly comprising: adisk component having a number of channels formed within a sidewall ofthe disk component; a button component having a number of buttons thatextend radially, the button component configured to couple to the diskcomponent by inserting the buttons into the channels; and a plurality oftubes that extend within the channels between the disk component and thebutton component, the buttons being biased to occlude the tubes absentan external force on the buttons.